I've noticed that a bunch of King vloggers and podcasters make the "he can't do aliens!!" claim and none of them have ever explained what they actually mean by that.
Dreamcatcher was my first King book and it made me a fan for life. To this day I can't look at bacon without thinking about all those raw bacon sandwiches Mr. Gray eats.
I’m one of the odd King readers. I liked The Tommyknockers. I loved how batshit crazy it was. I didn’t find Salem’s lot and Pet Sematary that great🤷🏻♂️ and the Dark Half.. could barely get through it. I would probably enjoy this one. I’ve read 47 of his books.. working on Under the Dome.. and definitely will put this on my list. Thanks Mike!!
I also like The Tommyknockers, what a wild ride it is! And yeah I feel the Dark Half is the worst book of Kings early works, just doesn't work for me at all.
I haven't read Tommyknockers but I agree that Salem's Lot and Pet Sematary are very much overrated...they aren't bad, they are fine...but everyone seems to loooove them...ehhhh
For me I go into the story with just loving Kings writing. It to me is like hearing my dad or grandpa tell me a story. Same thing with Ernest Hemingway, it’s just the writing style that brings me comfort.
"It's a no from me, dawg" I lol'd. I yearn for a great scifi Stephen King novel. We get close with some of his short stories, and my favorite of his taps into Cosmic Horror, but I want him to dive into a captivating scifi story!
I haven't read Dreamcatcher since it released but I do remember liking it alot. I'm currently re-reading my King library so I guess I'll see if my memory holds true when I get to it..
I always love your King content. Before I started watrching you I had only ever read the first Dark Tower novel, and now I am working through them and have a bunch on my TBR.
Hey Mike! Great and thorough review, as always! As for the Multiverse connections, there's another one that I picked up that you didn't mention: Duddits lives in a street called Dearborn, which is the alias that Roland uses in "Wizard and glass" to conceal his true identity: Will Dearborn, if I am not mistaken. Can't wait for the next Stephen Ning Review🎉
If you can endure the first 50-60 pages of Black House, then I think you might end up liking it more than Talisman. I certainly did. Very different books. Very different Jack Sawyer.
Still working through Black House. I liked some of the characters of Talisman. Wolf was great. Considering his father is pure evil Richard is actually okay. Just don't take a Richard to the Territories.
I haven’t read it but I loved the movie, it’s sitting on my bookshelf though, I plan on reading a few more before I get to this one, probably Pet Cemetery, Needful Things, Carrie, The Shinning, and Doctor Sleep are ahead of it for my Stephen King books so hopefully sometime next year I’ve all ready got a packed TBR for this year and I like to rotate genera’s to keep it fresh.
I actually re-read and enjoy the story after reading when it was published, and I still enjoyed it because of the main characters. The military side story does make it hard for you to want to keep going but that's also the same context in every alien book or movie. You forgot another multiverse with Doctor Sleep.
Dreamcatcher is the only King story where I saw the movie first. This was during a time where I’d stopped reading altogether. As for Black House, I’ve attempted it twice and tapped out both times. At this point, I may never complete it.
In real life Maine is absolutely beautiful. I live in New Hampshire (which is also beautiful in a lot of places) but still take rides to Maine with my wife just to look at all the fields and nature (and to hit the dispensaries 😂). The only thing truly scary about it is the wildlife if you stumble up the wrong trail.
I used to have a vacation home in Maine. The people and places there are the most kind and beautiful you'll ever see. The weather and wildlife on the other hand are terrifying. There's also huge woodlands and open skies so you see all kinds of creepy weird stuff, especially at night. Definitely feels like a hotspot for paranormal activity and extraterrestrial life haha.
One of my fave King books. I thought Kurtz was one of King's top villains (Flagg, Torrance, Rainbird, Barlow, Brady) and the ending was very satisfying, if tragic. I dug Underhill as much as any of the four friends, except maybe Henry. Avoid the film.
Finished the book and enjoyed it for the most part. Enjoyed Mike’s review as well and it helped to crystallize in my mind what I didn’t care for as much. Liked the friends and their relationships with each other though not as strong as the Loser Club friends in It. Loved Duddits, disliked Kurtz, middling on the aliens; could have done with a little less flatulence. But overall, enjoyed the read and my time with the story.
Funny thing is, my first book I was going to read from king was dreamcatcher, but my mom got me IT for my birthday. I wonder if I would’ve kept reading his work if I read dreamcatcher instead. 🤔
I just read a short essay by Stephen King called 'Why I Chose Batman' in issue 400 of Batman. Since you're a big SK fan, I thought I'd mention it. Perhaps its a bit of his writing you haven't yet read.
He also wrote a short story called "Batman and Robin have an Altercation". A man and his father imagine that they are Adam West Batman and Burt Ward Robin during a fight. Well, something like that. It's weird, sad, and poignant. I highly recommend it.
I have mixed feelings. The name -dropping of the show Friends that kinda took me out and reading/hearing it in the voice of the great Morgan Freeman, and the actually excellent discovered and known cast in the adaptation, and(SPOILERS!!) that unintentionally (SPOILERS!) cartoonish later sequence in the movie (END SPOILERS!!), but that frightening first few sequences, and the well done deus ex notwithstanding, it's the one book I have yet to complete, if I will, and eventually donated, when I moved back when, to a local public library, and in good condition, and that was gifted to me as an actually light but big "door stopper", and gifted over holidays years ago by family friend couple who is family and one passed away not long ago, rest in peace. So, mixed feelings. Maybe I'll tackle it one day. The one door stopper. also gifted, that drew me in was Insomnia. Will you do a review on that?
Haven't read too many and after the movie, I'll most likely pass. I have others that are way higher on my list and I don't have time for one of his lesser ones. Plan in october after I finish expanse is to do shining, salem's lot, and needful things (thanks to John at talking story, he added that one to my list after he saw the few I have read). Not prepared for another long series, so dark tower is going to be later later. Last year I actually listened to all of IT on audiobook so I at least have that one taken care of, lots of hours, but horror isn't too bad on audiobook, I can't do epic fantasy, but since I know the basic story to IT, makes it easier to stick with it. Currently have Misery cued up, but keep getting distracted from it and not really hitting me, definitely a mood reader. And again, I'm into expanse world and fire and blood for the show. I'm tied up for some time.
Read Dreamcatcher 3 years ago. Sucked. It’s right down there with The Tommyknockers. Has a little bit of good stuff in it but mostly it’s just a sloppy mess of a book. I also thought The Cell sucked too. Pretty much every other King book I’ve generally enjoyed.
@@mikesbookreviews First time I heard it, too, but man, that's some Shakespearean language-level creation, given how many people say it now. If he did.
I loved Dreamcatcher. I was so happy to see this book on the shelf after his accident!
He did aliens right both times. The Tommyknockers deserves more love
Love that book
I love the Tommyknockers!!! I loved how crazy it was
I've noticed that a bunch of King vloggers and podcasters make the "he can't do aliens!!" claim and none of them have ever explained what they actually mean by that.
Yes it does
I agree. It’s very good!
I remember loving this book. Some of the imagery stuck with me for years.
Dreamcatcher was my first King book and it made me a fan for life. To this day I can't look at bacon without thinking about all those raw bacon sandwiches Mr. Gray eats.
I’m one of the odd King readers. I liked The Tommyknockers. I loved how batshit crazy it was. I didn’t find Salem’s lot and Pet Sematary that great🤷🏻♂️ and the Dark Half.. could barely get through it. I would probably enjoy this one. I’ve read 47 of his books.. working on Under the Dome.. and definitely will put this on my list. Thanks Mike!!
I also like The Tommyknockers, what a wild ride it is! And yeah I feel the Dark Half is the worst book of Kings early works, just doesn't work for me at all.
I haven't read Tommyknockers but I agree that Salem's Lot and Pet Sematary are very much overrated...they aren't bad, they are fine...but everyone seems to loooove them...ehhhh
@@TheRealPabloDomingohell naa
For me I go into the story with just loving Kings writing. It to me is like hearing my dad or grandpa tell me a story. Same thing with Ernest Hemingway, it’s just the writing style that brings me comfort.
Love your "Into the Multiverse" videos, Mike!
"It's a no from me, dawg" I lol'd.
I yearn for a great scifi Stephen King novel. We get close with some of his short stories, and my favorite of his taps into Cosmic Horror, but I want him to dive into a captivating scifi story!
I haven't read Dreamcatcher since it released but I do remember liking it alot. I'm currently re-reading my King library so I guess I'll see if my memory holds true when I get to it..
Would love a re adaptation of Dreamcatcher with Chris Pratt as Henry and Ryan Reynolds as Beaver
Watching, commenting, and liking to support book reviews on BookTube!
I always love your King content. Before I started watrching you I had only ever read the first Dark Tower novel, and now I am working through them and have a bunch on my TBR.
It seems another book has been added to my TBR, I love aliens and scifi themes.
Hey Mike! Great and thorough review, as always!
As for the Multiverse connections, there's another one that I picked up that you didn't mention:
Duddits lives in a street called Dearborn, which is the alias that Roland uses in "Wizard and glass" to conceal his true identity: Will Dearborn, if I am not mistaken.
Can't wait for the next Stephen Ning Review🎉
Great find!
If you can endure the first 50-60 pages of Black House, then I think you might end up liking it more than Talisman. I certainly did. Very different books. Very different Jack Sawyer.
Still working through Black House. I liked some of the characters of Talisman. Wolf was great. Considering his father is pure evil Richard is actually okay. Just don't take a Richard to the Territories.
The thing that I remember most about this book is the toilet scene and that is something that I would rather not remember.
I, on the other hand, use "Same Shit, Different Day" at work constantly
Bravo.
That saying was in The Office UK in 2001 too. Guess it began there 😂
Dreamcatcher was one I read negative comments making hesitant to read it, but I might like to try it again.
I haven’t read it but I loved the movie, it’s sitting on my bookshelf though, I plan on reading a few more before I get to this one, probably Pet Cemetery, Needful Things, Carrie, The Shinning, and Doctor Sleep are ahead of it for my Stephen King books so hopefully sometime next year I’ve all ready got a packed TBR for this year and I like to rotate genera’s to keep it fresh.
Bev and Richie are dancing when Jake meets them in 11/22/63. Beep beep.
I actually re-read and enjoy the story after reading when it was published, and I still enjoyed it because of the main characters. The military side story does make it hard for you to want to keep going but that's also the same context in every alien book or movie. You forgot another multiverse with Doctor Sleep.
I think the toilet scene in Dreamcatcher is one of the most iconic, memorable scenes in all of his books.
That cameo by the Loser's Club was indeed in 11/22/63. Jake had a conversation with Richie & Beverly
Dreamcatcher was a really good book, very underrated.
Dreamcatcher is the only King story where I saw the movie first. This was during a time where I’d stopped reading altogether. As for Black House, I’ve attempted it twice and tapped out both times. At this point, I may never complete it.
Maine is a weird state or is it just me.⁉️
In real life Maine is absolutely beautiful. I live in New Hampshire (which is also beautiful in a lot of places) but still take rides to Maine with my wife just to look at all the fields and nature (and to hit the dispensaries 😂). The only thing truly scary about it is the wildlife if you stumble up the wrong trail.
It is a weird state, in many ways.
Stephen King is one of the things that makes Maine weird.
I used to have a vacation home in Maine. The people and places there are the most kind and beautiful you'll ever see. The weather and wildlife on the other hand are terrifying. There's also huge woodlands and open skies so you see all kinds of creepy weird stuff, especially at night. Definitely feels like a hotspot for paranormal activity and extraterrestrial life haha.
There is an IT cameo in 11-22-63. I think it's Beverly and Eddie? It's been a few years so the details are a little fuzzy.
One of my fave King books. I thought Kurtz was one of King's top villains (Flagg, Torrance, Rainbird, Barlow, Brady) and the ending was very satisfying, if tragic. I dug Underhill as much as any of the four friends, except maybe Henry. Avoid the film.
I’m finishing this book tomorrow and will come back …
Finished the book and enjoyed it for the most part. Enjoyed Mike’s review as well and it helped to crystallize in my mind what I didn’t care for as much. Liked the friends and their relationships with each other though not as strong as the Loser Club friends in It. Loved Duddits, disliked Kurtz, middling on the aliens; could have done with a little less flatulence. But overall, enjoyed the read and my time with the story.
Justice4Dreamcatcher
Personally I've never quite understood the hate that so many people have for this one. I have read it a number of times and enjoyed it.
Funny thing is, my first book I was going to read from king was dreamcatcher, but my mom got me IT for my birthday. I wonder if I would’ve kept reading his work if I read dreamcatcher instead. 🤔
Hi Mike. I enjoyed this one, in the same way as I have a soft spot for Tommyknockers. The movie was … interesting. Hope you like Black House.
I dislike the middle of this book but the beginning and the end is just awesome
I just read a short essay by Stephen King called 'Why I Chose Batman' in issue 400 of Batman. Since you're a big SK fan, I thought I'd mention it. Perhaps its a bit of his writing you haven't yet read.
He also wrote a short story called "Batman and Robin have an Altercation". A man and his father imagine that they are Adam West Batman and Burt Ward Robin during a fight. Well, something like that. It's weird, sad, and poignant. I highly recommend it.
"Great Value IT" 😂
Black House certainly has much stronger Dark Tower connections.
I remember quitting this book because it began to drag on and on around the middle. I only found out how it ended when the movie came out.
I've only ever watched the movie.
I liked it, especially the weirdness in it and the book is better than the.movie.
I didn't like it. But i also didn't dislike it. It was a middle star book for me. Not one i would re-read i think
I thought Dream catcher was great. Not may favourite, but solid fare from the King menu.
I have mixed feelings. The name -dropping of the show Friends that kinda took me out and reading/hearing it in the voice of the great Morgan Freeman, and the actually excellent discovered and known cast in the adaptation, and(SPOILERS!!) that unintentionally (SPOILERS!) cartoonish later sequence in the movie (END SPOILERS!!), but that frightening first few sequences, and the well done deus ex notwithstanding, it's the one book I have yet to complete, if I will, and eventually donated, when I moved back when, to a local public library, and in good condition, and that was gifted to me as an actually light but big "door stopper", and gifted over holidays years ago by family friend couple who is family and one passed away not long ago, rest in peace. So, mixed feelings. Maybe I'll tackle it one day. The one door stopper. also gifted, that drew me in was Insomnia. Will you do a review on that?
Haven't read too many and after the movie, I'll most likely pass. I have others that are way higher on my list and I don't have time for one of his lesser ones. Plan in october after I finish expanse is to do shining, salem's lot, and needful things (thanks to John at talking story, he added that one to my list after he saw the few I have read). Not prepared for another long series, so dark tower is going to be later later. Last year I actually listened to all of IT on audiobook so I at least have that one taken care of, lots of hours, but horror isn't too bad on audiobook, I can't do epic fantasy, but since I know the basic story to IT, makes it easier to stick with it. Currently have Misery cued up, but keep getting distracted from it and not really hitting me, definitely a mood reader. And again, I'm into expanse world and fire and blood for the show. I'm tied up for some time.
Wonder if I should read Tommyknockers before I read this? 🤔
I say SSDD regularly
Why the film adaptation deserves a director's cut: th-cam.com/video/eaH1x20xf6k/w-d-xo.html
Its one of the many "meh" King novels for me. I enjoyed Tommy knockers quite more
Read Dreamcatcher 3 years ago. Sucked. It’s right down there with The Tommyknockers. Has a little bit of good stuff in it but mostly it’s just a sloppy mess of a book. I also thought The Cell sucked too. Pretty much every other King book I’ve generally enjoyed.
Stephen King didn't make up Same Shit, Different Day, Did he?
Not sure. But it is where I learned it from.
@@mikesbookreviews First time I heard it, too, but man, that's some Shakespearean language-level creation, given how many people say it now. If he did.
Just got this at thrift store for $1 😁